LR: Time to apply for BWMS extension is now

JULY 13, 2015 — In a Statutory Alert issued today, Classification society Lloyd's Register says that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has advised that vessels with less than 12 months to comply with the USCG Ballast Water Management Discharge Standards can now request an extension to the implementation schedule.

"Effectively, this means an extension to the date by which the vessel must install a treatment system," says the alert.

"This change is not currently stated in existing USCG regulations. Vessels may apply for an extension request at any time within the 12 month period, but we recommend that applications are submitted as soon as possible," says Lloyd's Register, adding that it can help clients prepare requests for extension of the implementation schedule.